Authors:Cuauhtemoc RamirezFirst page: 1Abstract: Tourism has become a source of income, employment and economic growth for the country members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). This paper analyses tourism as a regional economic activity that interacts with the environment, with positive effects such as improving economic competitiveness; and negative effects such as overcrowding and poor management that can destroy the touristic asset on which the activity depends. These issues put the membership of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) of some APEC economies at stake, as well as the future of their local, regional and global economic and tourism competitiveness.PubDate: 2018-05-02DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p1Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Md. Zillur Rahman Siddique, Afzal HossainFirst page: 9Abstract: Consumers’ green products awareness is significant in indicating the way of the green products buying decision. This study aims to investigate the sources of consumers’ awareness toward green products and its impact on purchasing decision. The data is collected from 300 respondents by survey method through a structured questionnaire with five-point Likert scales & multiple items. Convenience and judgmental sampling method are used. Data are analysed using frequency analysis, mean, standard deviation and regression analysis. The study has found that promotional activities on eco-friendly products and reference groups significantly influence consumers green products awareness. Majority of the respondents are aware of green products. This study also reveals that green products awareness as the critical factor, which significantly affects consumers green purchasing decision. This paper can contribute to this green awareness issues. The company can be benefited knowing sources of green products awareness. Those it can aid green awareness development along with green products offer to consumers.PubDate: 2018-05-18DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p9Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Makame Omar Makame, Richard Y.M. KangalaweFirst page: 23Abstract: This paper presents one part of a larger, multidimensional study on the vulnerability of Zanzibar coastal communities to climate change and other stressors, focusing on water insecurity in two sites on the Zanzibar coast. Water security is composed of three components, namely water availability, water accessibility and the quality of available water. Findings from the study showed that water from wells is the major source of household water since tap water supply is often erratic. Farming systems are completely rain-fed, while some livestock owners use coral caves as the main source of water for their animals. Water quality is a major challenge along the coast as the majority of wells and coral caves in the study sites contain hard water with varying levels of salinity. A diversity of physical and social factors such as variability in water supply infrastructure, settlement structure, poverty, geology and geohydrology, variability in supply and poor water resource management adversely interact with local climate phenomena such as sea level rise, salt water incursion and drought to intensify water insecurity along the Zanzibar coast. Among the policy options to address these challenges would be to promote rainwater harvesting and increased utilisation of underground water for irrigation in the dry areas in order to increase agricultural production and reduce poverty.PubDate: 2018-05-18DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p23Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Hasina Afruj ShantaFirst page: 33Abstract: Trans-boundary River water has been a constant source of contention since the ancient times. As worldwide water scarcity is an increasing trend, trans-boundary water issues have become more critical. The Yarlung Tsangpo-Brahmaputra is an important river that runs through China, India, and Bangladesh. Recently, it has been emerging as a great concern for India and Bangladesh. As a middle riparian country, India is concerned about the Chinese activities further upstream. On the other hand, Bangladesh is concerned about China’s and India’s upstream activities on the Yarlung Tsangpo-Brahmaputra, as it is the lowest riparian country. Each of the three countries has their own riparian perception and their own views to explain and justify their riparian activities and concerns. This paper will broadly analyze all three perspectives, their concerns, and anxieties, placing them in the context of their riparian location. It will also provide some suggestions based on the core principles of equitable and logical water sharing to deal with the present riparian tension and ensure basin-wide water management. All three riparian countries’ should accept the principle of equitable distribution of Tsangpo-Brahmaputra river water. A Tsangpo-Brahmaputra river basin commission or some kind of commission can be formed with the authority to ensure equitable distribution of water among the co-riparian countries, namely, Bangladesh, China, and India.PubDate: 2018-05-19DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p33Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Ahmed A. Alyahya, Nawari O. NawariFirst page: 45Abstract: Global climate change is serving as warning signs it gradually begins to capture the attention of people at large. Many actions have been and continue to be taken by governments and organizations to preserve the planet, which is impactful and needed. But conservation efforts are not exclusive to governments and large institutions- individuals can contribute in multiple ways that will have ripple effects, one being the choice to build sustainable, net-zero energy homes. Building a house that is a net-zero energy requires many strategies.One of the most compelling factors in reducing the home energy consumption, to then achieve a net-zero energy home especially in hot-dry regions, is the optimization of the building envelope performance. This paper discussed several building envelope design strategies that are suitable for homes in hot-dry regions and tested them.The Methods including analyzing case study from Qater by using computer and were analyzed using Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools for energy simulation programs. All those strategies were applied to a design proposal for a house in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which is a hot-dry region. Further, the same simulation analyses were projected onto an identical house to the design proposal, but with a traditional, low-efficient building envelope.The results showed that the house with the high-efficient building envelope had 48% less energy consumption than the one that has the low-efficiency envelope.This research demonstrated the efficacy of the building envelope to reduce the energy consumption of single-family homes in hot-dry regions. The study outlines vital strategies for a high-efficient building envelope design in hot-dry areas that reaching net-zero energy homes and thus help to offset the negative impact of climate changes in arid areas.PubDate: 2018-05-30DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p45Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Mehmet Fatih Sekercioglu, Jerry White, Dan Shrubsole, Jamie BaxterFirst page: 71Abstract: In Ontario, small non-community drinking water systems are defined as systems that make drinking water available to the public and are not connected to a community drinking water system. This study, using qualitative research approach, examines the risk awareness and perceptions of small non-community drinking water system owners in providing safe drinking water to their clients and protecting their water source. Our study yields the need for developing a sustainable operation model for small non-community drinking water systems. The study results provide recommendations to the regulatory agency for effective and efficient administration of the program such as offering customized and affordable training opportunities and developing effective communication strategies for owners and operators.PubDate: 2018-05-30DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p71Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Elisa Wildayana, M. Edi M. Edi ArmantoFirst page: 85Abstract: Important peatland issues developed were how to restore peatlands and followed by increasing rural livelihoods. This research aimed to analyze how peatlands can be utilized to alleviate poverty' and how to integrate peatland restoration with poverty alleviation. This research has been conducted in peatlands of OKI district, South Sumatra Indonesia in 2017. Data about bio geophysical aspects of peatlands, social, economic and political institutions of farmers were surveyed in the fields, performed in qualitative and quantitative approach, and analyzed in forms of tables and descriptions. Important themes have been discussed in formulating popular policies for peat restoration based on livelihoods of local farmers, among others poor groups; characteristics of farmers from the socio-political aspect; concept of peatland restoration and other lessons-learnt; compatibility of peat-based poverty alleviation; and need to improve policy making. The chronic poor sites tend to overlap with peatland degradation; it is more important to cultivate peatlands to prevent farmers from falling into deeper poverty than to reduce farmers out of poverty, and the intrinsic quality of peatlands and their contents tends to conflict with poverty alleviation goals, but there are some possible trends to minimize peatlands degradation and to alleviate poverty simultaneously. The best approach is to apply the 'win-lose' or 'lose-win' approach, even though we are not able to avoid peatland degradation at a zero level, but at least it can be inhibited. Cooperation between investors and farmers in managing peatlands is needed, so that the peatland resources are not completely degraded.PubDate: 2018-05-30DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p85Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Masahiko OtaFirst page: 96Abstract: Indonesia has been developing Forest Management Units (FMUs) as on-site forest managers that undertake actual forest management activities at the field level. Previous studies have identified a critical lack of various resources, particularly human and financial, in FMU development, and yet the types of forest management activities and official planning procedures are less frequently reported. The present study examines forestry planning aspects of the FMU policy and forest management activities planned by FMUs to fill this information gap. The author analyzed relevant laws and regulations and the long-term forest management plans of 22 FMUs in Sumatra. For the latter, the author explored basic characteristics of FMUs, quantitatively summarized planned activities focusing on four aspects of forest management (i.e., utilization, conservation, empowerment of local people, and supervision of concession holders), and qualitatively assessed the levels of concreteness of plan descriptions related to the above-mentioned four aspects. The FMUs listed various kinds of activities in their long-term plans, particularly those related to utilization and conservation. However, a large number of the sample FMUs simply listed or described what they would like to do, or what FMUs are supposed to do, with little concrete detail or deliberation of feasibility. The results of the study can be attributable to a lack of focus on policy formulation, as well as the vulnerability and unpredictability of FMUs themselves. Qualitative enhancement and quantitative increase of human resources and policy options to reduce unpredictability and uncertainty in financial and institutional dimensions are desirable to promote substantive planning for FMUs.PubDate: 2018-05-30DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p96Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Outhevy Vongmany, Kazuo N. Watanabe, Takeshi Mizunoya, Makoto Kawase, Akira Kikuchi, Helmut Yabar, Yoshiro Higano, Nouansisavad Sombounsack, Oukham PhounpakonFirst page: 108Abstract: A large majority of the rural population of Lao PDR remains dependent on agriculture for their livelihood and food security, for which access to and management of irrigated and rain-fed water sources is critical. Crop choices and planting calendars follow a monsoonal (dry season/wet season) weather system and are vulnerable to variations in the supply of rainfall, particularly deficits in the dry season and oversupply in the wet season. Climate change projections show that flood vulnerable areas like Champhone district, Savannakhet province might face worse problems in future, affecting food security and agricultural development.This study examines how households are being affected by flooding and drought in Xe Champhone district. Flood vulnerability was assessed by calculating the rainfall variation to determine the water balance during rainy season and dry season. This was combined with analysis of social data from household surveys, together with institutional capacity at different levels and coping strategies currently used by farmers. Constraints and opportunities are identified to strengthen adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change in the Xe Champhone River basin of Savannakhet province. Hydrology data show that the water balance was unstable during both the rainy and dry seasons. The minimum runoff is very low in dry season (Q = 2.4 m³/sec), while the maximum runoff is high in rainy season (Q = 274 m³/sec). Harvesting rainwater in the wet season for use in dry season could reduce the vulnerability of farmers. This study aims to support small-scale community water management initiatives in Lao PDR.PubDate: 2018-05-30DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p108Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Bonface Nankwenya, Alexander Phiri, Abdi Khalil Edriss, Emmanuel Kaunda, Horace Phiri, Sloans ChimatiroFirst page: 123Abstract: Given that fish and fishery products are ranked among the most traded food commodities globally, with developing countries accounting for the bulk of the world’s fish exports, the analysis of fish trade flows is of key importance for any policy measure in the fisheries sector. This study evaluates the determinants of fish trade flows by applying the generalized gravity model. Using panel data covering a period of 14 years for 54 African countries, the gravity model is estimated using the Tobit regression to overcome estimation challenges in the presence of zero trade observations. The results suggest that a 1% increase in exporters’ GDP, importers’ GDP, population, exporters’ fish production, and countries sharing a common border increased fish trade flows by 8%, 14 %, 4%, 36% and 60%, respectively. On the other hand, importers’ fish production, and distance reduced fish trade flows by 5% and 17%, respectively. The results further shows that the belonging to ECOWAS, EAC, SADC and AMU has significantly enhanced intra-fish trade flows thereby contributing to gross trade creation for fish. The results indicate that the current demand for fish is very high such that current production is unable to meet the consumption needs. This calls for consolidated efforts in investment and development of the aquaculture sector as an alternative to the dwindling fish supplies from the wild environment. The findings also demonstrate the need for regional blocs to improve the transport networks on the continent by, among others, adopting a regional cooperation strategy centered on infrastructure development.PubDate: 2018-05-30DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p123Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Solomon Geleta, John Janmaat, John Loomis, Stephen DaviesFirst page: 135Abstract: Governments sometimes use committees of selected volunteers to provide comment on environmental policy choices. We use a repeated choice experiment to explore how a deliberative citizen jury (DCJ) treatment affects the conservation preferences of DCJ participants who engage in a budget allocation exercise. First round choice experiment participants were invited to volunteer for one of a pair of paid DCJ sessions. Stated preference results for the DCJ participants were compared with a pseudo-control formed by matching non-participants on socioeconomic characteristics. Both preference and response heterogeneity declines for the DCJ treatment group, relative to the control. The stated preference results for the DCJ group are significantly different from those for the total sample, and the DCJ budget allocation results are inconsistent with the preferences expressed by the total sample. DCJ style committees may reflect how educated citizens make choices. However, selection and impacts of the deliberation make it likely these committees are not representative of the broader population.PubDate: 2018-05-30DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p135Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Xiufeng Xing, Hongyu LiuFirst page: 158Abstract: China has enacted the ordinance of plastic shopping bags since June 1 of 2008, which stipulates the bag thickness should be greater than or equal to 25 micrometers and consumers should pay for each bag they consume. However, the overall effect of the ordinance is lower-than-expected. This paper qualifies the carbon emissions associated with plastic shopping bag consumption in a fifteen year time series. The results indicate that, except for 2008, carbon emissions are on a continuous increase during this period. With respect to carbon emissions in 2008, there does appear a local minimum. Specifically, the carbon emissions relating to plastic bags in 2008 dropped 0.87% when compared with the emissions of 2007. This is not to suggest that the ordinance is effective in the long term, just that there is a slight carbon emission reduction in 2008. The transitory reduction of carbon emissions should be more attributed to the impact of Beijing Olympic Games than the effectiveness of the ordinance in hindsight. From 2009 on, the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated by plastic shopping bags grows by 0.7-0.8% annually. Also, a two-child policy has taken into effect since 2011 which results in the net increase rate of entire population by 0.05% annually. When taken Beijing 2008 Olympic Games as well as the two-child population policy effect into consideration, it thus implies that the plastic bag ordinance may not be much effective to curb the bag usage in the long run. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.PubDate: 2018-05-30DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p158Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Qifan Yang, Xiaoyan Cao, Bingqian Liu, Yuanbiao ZhangFirst page: 166Abstract: Nowadays, climate change has become an increasingly important factor that influences the national development. In this paper, we propose the three-dimensional model based on dynamic weighting to measure national fragility, while taking into account a series of climatic factors like temperature, rainfall et al. Our model includes 20 indicators which can be divided into economic factors, social factors and environmental factors. We first divided all indicators into cost-type, benefit-type and moderate indicators, and normalized them based on different types of indicators. Then, combining modified entropy weight method and AHP, the weights of 20 indicators and three factors in the evaluation model are defined. In the three-dimensional evaluation model, we use the length of the evaluation curve to evaluate the national fragility and measure the balance of the three factors with the angle between the curve and the diagonal of the model. Moreover, since countries at different stages of development have different development focuses, we have developed an "S-type" function to dynamically measure the different emphasis on the degree of national fragility and the balance of the three evaluation factors. Then, we calculate the comprehensive fragility index by giving different weights for the degree of national fragility and the balance of the three factors. Finally, we use two different countries which are China and Sudan to verify the rationality of the model. The results show that our model can reasonably measure the fragility of countries in different development levels, which also proves its adaptability and practicability.PubDate: 2018-05-30DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p166Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Alphonse Kumaza, Yuanqiong HeFirst page: 176Abstract: The prohibition imposed on resource-rich nations by the Global North governments to legislate laws to control multi-national enterprises has hit a death nail in any attempt(s) to innovate corporate social responsibility. Consequently, a self-commitment strategy was recommended for adoption to guide business own activities. This strategy undermines business participation in effective social governance yet encourages externalisation of the corporate cost of production, leading to catastrophic ramifications for host communities. The paper, therefore, proposes a policy nuance, which is a novelty in the existing literature, to oversee social responsibility undertakings and brings on board the corporate body in the social development discourse. Meanwhile, an SPSS analysis shows a statistically significant p-value and a negative coefficient which indicates comparability between policy and corporate social responsibility resulting in an endorsement of the paper’s proposition. Conclusively, a policy distinction would ensure appropriate planning, realistic and objective target setting, and compensatory plus effective and efficient implementation of basic social amenities, while systematising and normalising social agenda in corporate management strategies. It would also inspire checks of multi-national enterprises’ commitments since benchmarks are established and visible for references. Expectedly, further study on an appropriate policy enforcement mechanism for social (and environmental) governance is recommended.PubDate: 2018-05-30DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p176Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:N. Kwikiriza, J. Mugisha, K. Karantininis, P. Rye KledalFirst page: 194Abstract: The organic pineapple sub-sector in Uganda has existed for slightly over 10 years. Whereas the sub-sector targets the organic market, slightly more than half of the organic pineapples produced by farmers are sold in this market and the rest is sold to the conventional market. This study aimed at determining the transaction costs that limit the amount of organic pineapples sold by farmers to the organic market. The study also aimed at establishing the relationship between the transaction costs and governance of the transactions between farmers and exporters. Data were collected from 140 organic pineapple farmers and seven organic pineapple export companies. Qualitative methods and econometric methods were used in data analysis. Findings show that there were high asset specificity and uncertainty in organic transactions, which resulted into farmers selling only a proportion of their produce to exporters. Involving farmer in contract formulation, trust, distance to collection centers and high asset specificity increased the proportion of pineapple sold by the farmers while farmers’ experience reduced the proportion sold. There were three forms of governances between farmers and organic exporters; the captive, modular and relational governance. The relational governance had the highest transaction costs, and less proportion of organic pineapples were sold in this governance. The study recommends transaction cost reduction strategies such as organizing farmers in cooperatives, trust building and engaging farmers in contract formulation.PubDate: 2018-05-30DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p194Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Ghassan ElkahloutFirst page: 212Abstract: This paper reviews the interactions between conflict and demographic trends in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), and provides an analysis of The Gaza Strip. Palestinian society has experienced momentous demographic transition over the past century, as well as recurrent waves of displacement and outbreaks of conflict and violence over the last decade. The enclave has witnessed demographic changes, with the emergence and rule of Hamas, repeated wars, and, since 2007, the unlawful blockade of The Gaza Strip. The United Nations (UN) has warned that, living conditions in Gaza are deteriorating faster than forecast, and are predicted to become dire by 2020. This paper provides a brief review of theories linking conflict and demography, followed by an introduction to the historical and contemporary context of The Gaza Strip. An in-depth analysis of the impact that conflict has on the demographic structure of Palestinian society in The Gaza Strip, focusing on the factors behind high fertility rates, population growth trends, and the drivers of migration. The analysis offered builds upon interviews with Palestinian experts, and Palestinian asylum-seekers in Greece, Poland, U.K. and Sweden, in addition to data published by the Palestinian Statistics Bureau Centre and research articles focusing on The Gaza Strip. The paper concludes that, the Palestinian reconciliation agreement should take priority over the population and the economy.PubDate: 2018-05-30DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p212Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Fatema K. Al-Asfour, Heba A. Al-HelailahFirst page: 223Abstract: A progressive society wants to raise awareness, especially what affects everyday life. This study focuses on simplification waste management by using Mind Map. The cornerstone of this research is the use of mind maps in the field of environmental awareness, increasing environmental awareness of waste negative impact, minimizing its use, and the healthy and environmentally safe alternative. The researcher seeks to link the concepts and goals the 17 goals of sustainable development of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with awareness of waste management and modern theories of learning, in order to reach new methodology used in awareness activities. Applied the feasibility and impact of Mind Maps on understanding and simplifying the waste management course for students’ community at the Environmental Health department _ College of Health Science. Buzan’s iMindMap 4 software was used to create mind maps for simplifying the project of waste management, the software uses lines, colours, arrows, branches to show connections between the ideas generated. Results of meta-analysis of concept waste management mind maps in student community indicated that concept mapping has positive effects on understanding, assimilation and application, Post-test results showed that experimental community made higher gains in understanding, easy to add ideas, Help you focus on the links and relationships between ideas so you don't just have disconnected facts.Researchers will be based on results in the awareness activity to reach an optimal understanding of the negatives of waste and the responsibility of the community.PubDate: 2018-05-30DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p223Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Jacqueline Beam, Nawari O. Nawari, Bill TilsonFirst page: 234Abstract: Sustainable design trends have historically wended down a road that supports the idea of densely populated urban planning as a strategy for mitigating sprawl. Creation of dense urban areas aims at the reduction of carbon emissions. However, studies show that densely populated areas often come with a panacea of mental health, resiliency, and quality of life ails for a community.The following research explores the possibility of combining densely populated design approaches with ancient community planning methods that encourage relationship building: close contact with natural environments and social interchange. Community planning that also creates a day to day contact with nature could be a crucial strategy for both sustaining healthy ecosystems and the development of sustainable communities. The potential for integrating dependence upon nature within built urban environments, as well as the possibility of positive place-making by harvesting nature dependent cultural and social assets in communities and neighborhoods, is, therefore, a wealthy area worthy of exploration.To explore these areas, mental health research on the effects of nature on the brain, as well as the three leading determinants of social, environmental and economic well-being, worldwide, and the founding cultures of these determinants were reviewed. Resilient indigenous groups and case studies of the happiest nation, of Norway and two leading environmentally sustainable and resilient countries, Costa Rica, Cuba, and New Mexico are examined. The paper provides recommendations for improving mental health and resilience by integrating strategies for nature and community needs in urban planning and built environments design.PubDate: 2018-05-30DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p234Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Solomon Akinyemi LaleyeFirst page: 251Abstract: The Externalists and Internalists interrogated the crisis of development in Africa and have suggested solutions. In response to the challenge, successive governments have adopted theories, initiated policies and strategies to remedy the situation. In spite of these efforts, the attainment of a commendable stage of development has eluded majority of African nations, this is largely because the conception of development is erroneously predicated on the monistic neglecting the dualistic aspects of development. This paper, does not only correct this misconception it also philosophically explore how Africa can overcome contemporary and future sustainable development challenges, by articulating sustainable development paradigm appropriate for the continent. The paper argued for the necessity of a complement involving the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the dualistic conception rather than a straight jacketed approach that focuses more on the quantitative aspect in the quest for development. The paper employs the analytic and prescriptive approaches of philosophical inquiry.PubDate: 2018-05-30DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p251Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)

Authors:Muhammad Yamin, M. Saleh S. Ali, Rahman MI, Imam Mujahidin Fahmid, Syahrumsyah AsriFirst page: 258Abstract: The aim of this research is to explain poverty alleviation program through agroindustry development policy in East Kalimantan Repoblic of Indonesia. The main contribution of this research is to developed a new strategy toward poverty alleviation. The method of study was used descriptive-case study method. The data used in this research was gathered from many sources such BPS (Statistic Central Bureau), East Kalimantan Yearly Report, East Kalimantan Base Data, and some informants at provincial level. The poverty data, financial budget agro industry development project data, financial budget accelerate poverty alleviation data, empowerment people data obtained was analyzed by using time series analysis. The result indicated that the agroindustry development policy reduced poverty level. Since 2006 to 2015 was achieved significantly result with average of 0,57% per year. On the other hand, the number could have be improved it when migretion to the area had been reduced as in the same period.PubDate: 2018-05-30DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v11n3p258Issue No:Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018)